January, 2026
IN THIS ISSUE:
When God Moves, We Follow (By: Joe Keim)
Before I share any updates, we want to thank you for your financial support of the ministry at the end of the year. There are no words to express how thankful and encouraged we all are. Every note was read and cherished.
As we step into 2026, our hearts are full of hope, excitement, and expectation. We believe God has great things in store for MAP. Reaching Amish people with the gospel remains the very heart of this ministry. This past year, 302 students gave their lives to Jesus Christ through the SonLight Club. Each one represents a life changed, a family and community touched, and eternity altered. We stand in awe of what God accomplished through each one of us.
Looking back…
Last year, the Ministry Updates focused on our past – 25 years of ministry. This year, we want to look ahead and share what we believe God has for us next. One of the biggest needs before us is finding land and relocating the office. The 3,5000 sq. ft. space we have used for twenty years has served us well, but is no longer able to house MAP. There is currently an office squeezed into a connector hallway and another in the supply room, among books, tracts, and reams of paper! Boxes are stacked under tables and in office corners. The ministry is truly packed into this space.
Looking ahead…
As we look ahead, more classroom space is needed. We are in the early stages of launching Pathway to Success. This program will offer financial, computer, and GED classes, along with training that will help the young women at New Beginnings Homestead and Beyond Measure Market succeed in life.
Another dream we have had for many years is owning a small horse farm. We have learned that horses are very calming and helpful for healing. Over the years, several young women have asked for this kind of place, but we simply did not have the land.
We often also talk about starting a simple discipleship school. In some ways, this has already begun through our online school, Growing in Christ Academy. It fits well with the training we are giving a young woman who came here from PA. Katherine’s parents, former Amish, brought her to MAP, and she is staying at New Beginnings while learning ministry work. Her father shared that they do not plan to send their children to Bible college. Instead, they want a place like MAP where their children can gain hands-on ministry experience.
We thank the Lord for the past young women He has allowed us to help in ministry, like Sadie Miller, who is serving in Nicaragua, and her sister Sylvia, who now ministers in Middlefield, OH. With God’s help, we want to build a more organized school that will help young women find their purpose, prepare for life, and perhaps go into ministry.
We would greatly appreciate your prayers as we move forward, raise funds to buy land, and build. God has already provided some of what we need, and we are truly thankful.
Another part of our future planning is finding a young man to mentor for leadership. Esther and I believe we may have 15–20 good years left in full-time ministry, but we know it is wise to prepare someone to step in long before then. Please pray with us about this. If you know someone God may be calling, let us know. He does not need to come from an Amish background; what matters most is that God has chosen and called him, and he is willing to be trained and mentored for the work ahead.
We are asking God to send more missionaries who are grounded in the Word of God and called to reach the Amish people. The need is great, and the harvest is ready.
As we look to 2026, we are praying for God to send:
- 1,000 new students for the SonLight Club, taking us to 6,500 students
- 50 new Plowman’s Academy students
- 20 more students for the online Growing in Christ Academy
- 2,500 more Amish households to add to our active Amish Voice mailing list, taking us to 17,500 households
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To help us reach these goals, we invite you to take part:
You can sponsor an Amish household to receive The Amish Voice for 85 cents. The paper goes out every other month. 100 households will cost $85 each time The Amish Voice is mailed, or $510 a year. To sponsor our Amish Voice, click HERE.
You can also sponsor a SonLight Club student for $90.00 per year, which covers a full year of Bible lessons, a Bible, and other awards. To sponsor our SonLight Club, click HERE.
Step out of the Boat Conference
For two long years, I have faced some very real and often overwhelming spiritual battles. They were raw and painful, sometimes beyond words. Instead of easing up, the battles intensified. There was lost sleep, frustration, and at times, deep hurt and anger.
Slowly, I came face-to-face with a hard question: Joe, do you truly believe what you say you believe? Do you really believe there is a God? My answer was clear. Yes, absolutely. But then another question followed. Joe, if you believe there is a God, why do you struggle to believe God’s promises? Why do you hesitate to trust that God can win your battles, provide what is needed, and carry your mountains?
God says, “Prove me now herewith” (Malachi 3:10). In other words, go ahead, Joe, try Me and see.
You may ask, what does this have to do with the Step Out of the Boat Conference? Everything! God convicted me that while we ask others to share their step-out-of-the-boat stories, we ourselves were struggling to trust Him to provide the funds needed to hold the conference. I wrestled with this for some time, until one day I repented and told the Lord I was ashamed of myself for not stepping out of the boat and fully trusting that He would provide.
I believe God is calling us to step out boldly in faith and put action to our words. We trust Him to provide for every need of this conference. As a result, there will be no registration fee (you still need to register). That does not mean we are cutting back on food. We are not dropping childcare or children’s ministry, and we are not cutting corners.
We are taking God at His word and saying, “Prove me now herewith.” We have no doubt He will come through. We believe it is God’s will for this conference to take place. God desires to see lives changed, faith strengthened, and people challenged to step out and live for something far greater than self.
One way God does this is by bringing together people who have already stepped out of the boat. These are not polished speakers, and they do not have degrees hanging on their walls. You will not find them on popular stages across America. They are simple men and women who are fully walking in the power of God. They have trusted Him and have seen Him move.
Click on the images below to hear from two of our 2026 conference speakers:
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You will hear preaching, testimonies of God’s faithfulness, and sense the power of God moving in our midst. We have something for everyone. Bring your family, your friends, and your neighbors. Bring the lost, the searching, and the needy.
If you need a place to stay, please let us know, and we will do our best to help you find housing. There are also plenty of motels and Airbnb options in the Ashland and Mansfield area to choose from.
During the conference, Leroy Stoltzfus will lead us in worship. On Friday evening, he will present a concert. Learn more about Leroy at LeroyStoltzfus.com. On Thursday evening, a group of Former Amish will perform a live play, putting their faith in action. You will not want to miss either free event! If for no other reason, come and support those sharing their stories — March 18-21 in Savannah, OH.
Remember to register for this free conference at StepOutOfTheBoat.org. We look forward to seeing you there!